It’s time to go back… to the future

The year is 2007… It is the future. At least, in the retro world of Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon on PlayStation 3 it is. Some time in the late 20th century, nuclear war has torn the planet apart, leaving in its wake a post-apocalyptic war zone. You are Sergeant Rex “Power” Colt – part man, part machine, all Cyber Soldier – armed to the teeth and on a mission to take down your ex-commanding officer, who’s gone rogue with a whole cache of nuclear warheads. It’s down to you to work out what’s turned your former leader into a crazed tyrant, bent on finishing off an already war-ravaged planet – and what’s making him so immensely powerful.

Cyborg armies and power-hungry Colonels are just the start; you’re soon deep in enemy territory on a mysterious – and heavily militarized – island… and you’re not alone. As well as enemy compounds packed with deadly militia, you’ll have to contend with cybernetic animals roaming wild beyond the walls. And that’s not all; towering over the island are the Blood Dragons – colossal beasts with a bad temper, who just might hold a clue to explaining this whole mess…

Reach for the lasers

Although Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon shares the Far Cry 3 name, the look and feel of the game is a world away from the smash-hit shooter of 2012. Gone are the tropical islands and lush jungles, replaced by a retro vision of a post-apocalyptic future, lit up by garish neon and populated by a cybernetic army that won’t hesitate to give you a taste of their lasers.

In between the explosive action, seriously tongue-in-cheek retro style cutscenes hark back to the golden age of 1980s arcade gaming, while Rex “Power” Colt’s wise-cracking quips when dispatching enemies will have you reminiscing for the glory days of no-nonsense action heroes. There are plenty of genuinely funny moments to keep you laughing in between the action; in particular, listen out for Colt’s interaction with his much-hated tutorial screens, or his tribute to the one special lady in his life – Lady Liberty.

This explosive step back in time is complemented perfectly by an original soundtrack written by Australian group Power Glove – featuring 25 synth-drenched tracks and electro melodies written for specific scenes in the game.

Explore tomorrow’s world

As well as the main storyline, a wealth of side missions provides chances to collect new weapons and upgrades to make Rex Colt an even deadlier Cyber Soldier.

You’re free to roam the island, engaging enemy compounds to liberate the scientists held hostage inside. Collect new weapons and capture vehicles to travel through the ravaged terrain more easily. There’s more to the island than gun-toting enemies though; the craggy cliffs and untamed undergrowth hide packs of wild cybernetic animals who watch your movements with a glowing red eye and pounce when you least expect it. You’ll be tasked with taking them out to make the island a safer place – and to win the rewards that come from these futuristic big game hunts.

With the weapons you’ll collect, you can tailor your tactics to suit each mission; need the silent and deadly approach? Grab your bow and arrow and pick off enemies without being seen. If you need to storm a base with an explosive shock and awe style hit, that’s not a problem either – the more missions you complete, the more weaponry will become available at the stores located in each compound.

And what’s the one thing more awesome than being a Cyber Soldier? Being a Ninja Cyber Soldier, of course. Take down your enemies with a stealth attack and you can follow up with a deadly shuriken to finish off anyone else lurking nearby. The more difficult kills you make, with headshots, stealth attacks and combos, the more cyber points you’ll be awarded, allowing you to upgrade your skills and armour and become an even deadlier killing machine.